TOYS FOR TOTS...

This is the time of the year that the volunteers start building

up the supplies of toys for the kids whose parents don't have

or have very little resources for toys for the kids.

In our town, it is the Lions Club that takes on this huge

responsibility.  And huge it is.. and in this day and age it is

more so.  Especially the last 4 years. It isn't just the toys,

it is also food for Christmas dinner.  When I was working,

the company that I worked for .. use to give us turkeys

for Christmas.  Luckily about a week or so before.. As I

use to donate mine to the Lions club.  One year it was

just as the Lions club was passing out the supplies.

As I walked up there, there was a very long line.

I had my grandson with me.. and he was about 10.

I went to the garage part of the building the Lions club

has, told the gentlemen of which I was giving.. and was

greeted with joy as they were getting close to running out.  

As we walked back to the car, my grandson asked why

were all those people there and standing in line to get inside. 

When I told him, that all those adults had small children..

and because jobs had laid off a lot of people that year..

That they were there, because the Lions Club and all those

who help them, give out free food and toys for their kids. 

All those people, he asked?  I said yes, and he said WOW.

I didn't know.

TOYS FOR TOTS, started out in the late 1940's

by a Marine, who got his reserve unit to collect

toys for kids.. they did, ....over 5000 toys.. first

one was a home made doll... and that was the

start. For many years, movie stars and even Walt

Disney, got involved. Walt is who came up with the

poster with the train on it.. and for many years

the Marines did this.. with help from local citizens.

The toys were always collected locally, for local

kids.  Some where down the road.. where Marines

Reserves were not available.. the Lions Club picked

up the banner. And there could be others.. but it is

the Lions Club in our town..

So if you see a benefit that helps the Toys for Tots, like

the turkey bingo, as the local mall has about this time

of the year, or just want to write a check, donate some

new toys... please feel free to help out.. Do it for the kids.

No matter what you might think about why the parents

are there.. it is the kids who will benefit from this.  Also

if you have some time and want to help out.. you don't

have to become a Lions Club member, they are always

glad to have people help out with the receiving of the

cases of food that is donated by stores, or that they

buy with the money donated. And the toys as they

come in, and need to be placed by ages on the shelves

they have there. 

You will usually see a donation thermometer on the front

page of any given newspaper, and they will have where

you can send it.. Ours also has a bank or some other place

that accepts donation checks in behalf of the Lions Club. Or

even the Marine Reserves, who started this years ago.  You can

donate in the name of your love ones.. It is one of the few

charities that I do donate to..  Remember the donations

are local and kept local.

And if you are a Mom or Dad and having a tough year,

contact your local TOYS FOR TOTS...organization,

and get your kids ages on the list with your name. If

you know a family.. who is having a rough time, you

can tell the organization their name.

REMEMBER, IT IS FOR THE KIDS... help out the

local chapter of TOYS for TOTS.